No stranger to the off-beat ("The Graduate"), even the bizarre ("Lizzie Borden Took an Axe"), The Covey Theatre Company currently offers "Bonnie and Clyde", a Frank Wildhorn (music)/Don Black (lyrics), and Ivan Menchell (book) collaboration from the 2011 Broadway season. Wildhorn and Black had successfully collaborated previously with "Dracula, The Musical".

This production, directed by Covey's artistic director, Garrett Heater, is a musical version of the depression era, real life, outlaw lovers who commanded so much attention of local and state police agencies in Texas and the mid-west during the 1930's for crime sprees involving bank robbery and, eventually, murder, that they achieved folk hero-like status in small towns thirsty for excitement and notoriety.

Played upon a craftily conceived, single set by Heater, the action is intimate, sometimes raw, and always moving toward its well-known, inexorable conclusion. There are no alternate endings to this real, albeit, most likely romanticized, version.

The infectious Wildhorn compositions, which run the musical gamut from country and bluegrass, to blues and gospel, are kept at a steady pace throughout by a fine, eight-piece orchestra under the very capable musical direction of Bridget Moriarty. There's no doubt that music and singing as center pieces, keep this stage vehicle humming along at a nice pace.

Before the real action begins, we get a glimpse of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as children (Amiya Auriel Widger and Maxwell Zirkman), sharing backgrounds that include daydreaming about being a famous movie star (Bonnie) and young Clyde wandering around, toy rifle in tote, talking about shooting a variety of n'er do wells. Unfortunately, the latter scenario was the one closest to the lives of the flamboyant criminals.

When they meet as adults, there is immediate attraction between Bonnie (Sara Weiler) and Clyde (Chip Weber). Despite the overt romantic intentions of Ted Hinton (Tyler Ianuzi), a policeman in the town, Bonnie falls in love with the engagingly exciting Clyde and his "plans" for their future. Juxtaposed to the criminal life are Clyde's brother, Buck (Josh Taylor) who can't seem to stay out of trouble with his brother, and his wife, Blanche (Mary Musial), a hairdresser, who attempts, unsuccessfully, to lure Buck away from Clyde, and to settle for a normal domestic life.

With a variety of scene and set changes (13 in Act I and 16 in Act II), the confines of the intimate staging are often shared among a large throng of townspeople. There is a rousing scene, ably led by the town's preacher (Shawn Forster), that takes on the proportion of a religious revival, replete with some terrific gospel music and country-style choreography.

Of course, music and singing takes center stage in Wildhorn's version of the story, and Heater's casting is certainly bent in that direction with the vocal capabilities of Weber, Weiler, Musial, Forster, and Ianuzi, with the two principals sharing most of the heavy lifting in that department.

Weber displays a confidence and personality which results in an unusually savvy stage presence for a young actor. That, coupled with a voice displaying a tolerance for prolonged pitch accuracy, made for several engaging moments.

Weiler's vocal treatment of the rather impulsive, somewhat ditzy Bonnie was right on point, while Musial provided a more sedate and controlled vocalization, illustrative of her character. Their voices combine nicely in one of many interesting duets in the show. In addition to the many single vocal moments and duets, a large ensemble performance, loosely titled "Made in America", serves as a notable vocal moment, as does the aforementioned revival scene led by Forster.

The staging, consisting of platforms suspended between two large compartments used for prop manipulation and storage, visually fits the time and place with a variety of old objects from stovepipes to bedsprings, works well in the abbreviated space, and provides for the abundance of objects necessary for the great number of locations.

DetailsLength of Production: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.Attendance: Near-full house on opening night, about 150.Family Guide: Some graphic violence, gunshots, and blood. Also, mild intimations of sex in word and deed.For more information: The Covey Theatre Company presents Frank Wildhorn's "Bonnie and Clyde" in the Bevard Studio Theater, Mulroy Civic Center, Montgomery Street, Syracuse July 18, 19, 25, and 26 at 8 p.m. For tickets and information: 315-420-3729 and www.THECOVEYTHEATRECOMPANY.com.